Gun perforator for well casings



Sept. 30, 1941. l. J. MccULLouGH 2,2157270 GUN PERFORATOR FOR WELL CASINGS Filed Nov. 14, 1939 2 'sheets-sheet 1 l. J. MccuLLoUGl-l 2,257,270

GUN PERFORATOR FOR WELL CASINGS Filed Nov. 14, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 30, 1941.

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reigned sept. 3o, 1941 y 2,257,270

UNITED YSTATES PATENTA OFFICE GUN PERFOBATOR FOR WELL CASINGS Ira; J.'McCullough, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 14, 1939, Serial No. 304,333 19 claims.A (c1. 1er- 0.5)

My invention relates to the art of perforating It is an object of my present invention to prowell casing after it has been set in awell and vide a. series of ring charge chambers in a relates in particular to a well casing perforating gun body, each of which 'firing charge chambers gun which is of simple form and' may be readily is accessible through the side wall of a gun body manufactured in 'a form wherein the gun bores 5 when an associated closure member is-removed for receiving the projectiles are placed relatively from the side of the gun' body, passages serially close together and wherein all operations necesconnecting the firing charge chambers and resary for charging and recharging, renewal of movable and replaceable restraining means inworn parts, etc., may be performed without dissertable in the passages throughopenings which mantling the gun body, but merely by removal lead into the gun body from the side wall thereof.

of threaded members which screw into lateral In the present invention, series connection of openings in the gun body. the firing charge chambers is accomplished The present invention constitutes an improvethrough interconnecting passages having rementpver the disclosure of U. S. Patent No. straining means therein and replacement or re- 2,154,859 granted to me April 18, 1939, for Gun newal of projectiles, ring charges, and restrainperforator and method, wherein there is a dsing means may be accomplished through the side closure of the manner in which a plurality of wall of the gun body without the necessity of charges of explosive in the chambers connected dismantling the gun body, this dismantling being tov gun bores may be fired by conducting to the shown in my patent, No. 2,218,802, granted Octocharges of explosive through small ports or re- 2o ber 22, 1940, for Gun perforator, whichdiscloses straining openings, the llame or heat and presa gun body comprised of b'ody sections connected sure resulting from the explosion of an ignition in end to end relation and having gun bores with charge. firing charge chambers which are connected' in It is an object of the present invention to proseries through the interconnecting ends of the vide a simple arrangement in a perforator gun body sections. l

body whereby the series ring of a progression It is an object of the invention to provide a of explosive charges, associated with gun bores gun body having a plurality of longitudinally containing projectiles may be accomplished. In spaced firing charge chambers for holding the -present invention part of the llame, heat charges of explosives in operative relation to gun and/or pressure from the burning of one iiring i0 bores, openings extending into the body in posil charge is passed through a restraining means to tions between the firing charge chamber-S. PaS- the succeeding firing charge to ignite the same, sages extending from inner portions of these with the result that the ignition of one firing openings to the adjacent ring charge chambers charge, preferably at the top of the gun body and replaceable restraining means secured in the butnot necessarily so, results in the series firing Openings t0 Connect the Passages in series.

of the 'remaining ring charges in the gun body. It is an object of the invention to provide a V j In the present invention, the chambers for the gun body of the character set forth in the pre- .ilr'ing charges areA connected in series by ports ceding paragraph wherein the firing charge -or psages which are of such size as to permit chambers are located at the inner ends of bores passage lof a flame from the explosion of one 40 which receive removable gun barrels. In the use ring charge to the next firing charge chamber of this construction the gun barrels may be unto ignite the ring charge therein, but which screwed from their positions of operation so that ports or passages are of such limited size that the ring charges may be placed in the firing the reverse flow of explosion products will be charge chambers, after which reinsertion of the restrained to such small value that the loss of gun barrels with. new projectiles inllae thereinexplosive pressure through the ports or passages results in closing the firing charge chambers. will not be great enough to prevent an effective The restraining means in the radial openings bedischarge of the projectiles from the gun bores. tween the firing charge chambers ordinarily com- 'I'hese ports or passages become enlarged after prise threaded pins or screws which mayl be read- -a period of use by the burning action of the ily unscrewed and removed from the side of the -flame and explosion products which pass theregun body for purpose of inspection or replacethrough, and before the size thereof is increased ment when required.

`to such an extent as to interfere with the proper A further object of the invention is to provide action of the gun, they must be reconditioned-,o a perforating gun of the general character hererenewed. inabove set forth, having also an initial ignition element which is insertable from the side wall of the gun body.

A further object is to provide a'perforating gun having a firing pin which is sealed in operative position by sealing means which isinsertable from the side wall of the gun body.

A further object of the invention is to provide for a perforating gun of the character described a firing pin arrangement having s holder from which a firing pin assembly may be readily removed, this iiring pin assembly having an-outer permanent bar p'ortion whichholds a replaceable pin element subject to wear and destructive action in the normal use of the gun.

Further objects and advantages will be brought out in the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of the gun.

Fig. 3 is'an enlarged partly sectional view of the lower portion oi.' the gun.

Fig. 4 is a cross-secidon taken as indicated by the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-section taken as indicated by the line 5 5 of1lig. 3. x

Fig. .6 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the plane ,represented by the line 6 8 of Fig. 5.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings I show a preferred form of my gun preiorator as comprising a gun body Il. a flring member secured to the upper end of the gun body Il, a suspension member I2 i'or connecting the perforating gun to a cable I3, a sleeve |4 Ysurrounding the suspension member I2 and being adapted to receive the impact of a weight member or go-devil I4' which is dropped down along and around the, cable I3. means I5 whereby this impact may be transmitted to the firing mechanism of the iiring member II, and a safety lock for the ilring mechanism comprising a spring supported dog Il and actuating means therefor consisting of a inem-- ber i1 having frictional engagement with the wall of a tube I8 in which the perforating gun may be moved.

2l from the recess 24 when it is desired to install a priming member II.

Below the recess 24 in the body I! there is an igniting charge chamber 34 which communicates with the side of the body Il through a threaded counterbore 35 adapted to replaceably receive a closure member in the form of a' threaded plug 36. An axial openingjl connects the lower end oi.' the opening 2l oi' the block 28 with the igni- As shown in Fig. 2, the firing( member includes a cylindrical body i! from which a stem stem 20 has a bore 2| which leads downward from its upper end and communicates with a transverse opening 22 disposed adjacent the uplper endV of the body |l. A iiring pin Vbore 23.

' 20 of reduced diameter extends upwardly. This smaller recess 25 projecting from the bottom 60 thereof and having a threaded counterbore 2i which is open to a side oi' the body I9 to removably receive a threaded plug 21. A cylindrical block 28 is held in a recess 24 by means of the plug 21. A'I'his block 28 has a projection 2! entering the recess 25 so as to prevent rotation oi the block 28. 'I'he block 28 has a vertical bore 30 to receive a priming means which may be in the form of a blank cartridge 3| which is held in position to be engaged by a iiring pin 32 ax-v ially movable in the bore 23. The rightward or front face of the block 2l has a threaded opening 33 into which the threaded end of a pin may be screwed for the purpose of pulling the block sleeve 51 is in lowered position on the stem a limited by a snap ring tion charge chamber 34, and an axial passage 38 extends downward from the ignition charge chamber 34 to the lower end oi the body I9. as shown in the upper part of Fig. 3. The lower end of the body I9 has means for connecting the firing member II, of which it is a part, with the upper end of the gun body III. Such means of joinder is shown as a vthreaded pin 39 which is screwed into a box 4| in the upper end of the gun body Il.

The tiring pin 32 has a head 4| disposed in the lateral opening 22 at the lower end of the stein 2l. which head 4| is held in tight engagement with the lower end of a vertical bar 42 by means of an internally threaded cup 43, disposed in such position that the upper portion thereof lies in the bore 2| and the lower -portionthereof projects down into the lateral opening 22. The

upper end oi the bore 2| is provided with a. threaded counterbore 44 to receive the threaded body 4l at the lower end of the suspension member I2. This threaded body 45 has an axial opening 4i to receive the upper portion 41 of the bar 42, and the bar 42 is vprovided with a collar 4l which is. normally held in engagement with the lower end of the threaded body 45 by a compression spring 49, the lower end of which rests upon a washer 50 removably placed in the bore 2| above the member 43. The lower part of the suspension member I2 has a lateral opening 5I into which the upper portion 41 of the bar 42 projects, and a shear pin 52 is passed through the upper portion 41 of the bar 42 in such position that the projecting ends thereof will lie against the upper i'ace of the threaded body 45. The means Il, shown as a lateral bar, having notches 54 in the'ends 52 thereof, is placed 1n the opening II in a position to engage the upper end of the bar 42 and so that thenotches 54 at the ends thereof will engage diametrally opposed portions of the lower end of the sleeve I4. Short screws il are passed through the wall oi' the sleeve |4 into engagement with the suspension member I2, to limit the upward movement of the sleeve |4 and frictionally retard its downward movement.

The control member l1. comprises an upper sleeve 5I which slides on the sleeve VI4, and a lower sleeve 61 which surrounds and is slidable on the neck or stem 20 of the firing member 'I I.l 1nrlng the downward movement of the perforatthe bow springs 58 of the member I1, will hold such member I1 in raised position as shown in Fig. 1, the upward movement of the same being 59 disposed at the upper end oi the stem 20. 'I'he dog or lock I B is supported bya leaf spring 6| tically extended groove E2 in the side wall of the stem 20. This spring 6I holds the dog I6 in a retracted position when the sleeve 51 of the member is raised, as shown in Fig. 1. When the 20, as shown in Fig. 2, as the result of the perf rating gun being moved upward in the tube I8, such sleeve 5l will force the dog I6 inward in the gun through the tube I8, the Irictional drag on which lies in a verlateral opening -22 into the position thereof shown in Fig. 2 wherein the inner portion 63 of the dog I6 will lie under the lower face of the cup member 43 and prevent such downward movement thereof as lto bring the lower end of the ring pin 32 into firing engagement with the upper end of the priming member 3I The spring 49 is of such strength as to return the bar 42 to raised position, with the weightof the go-devil I4 applied thereto, so that should there be a misre the ring pin may be locked in raised position, by lifting the device relative to` the control member I1 to cause the sleeve 51 to force the dog I6 into locking position relative to the member 43,

A positive seal for -the ring pin bore 23 is provided so'that there can be no leakage of fluid into the interior of the gun through this opening 23. Above the recess 24 a diametral bore 64 ex- 'placed in the diametral bore 64 thereof so asto effectively seal oif around the firing pin 32. y

Referring now to Figs. 3, 5, and 6, the gun body I8 is provided with a plurality of ring charge chambers. 1I, individually indicated as 1Ia, to 1Ie, spaced longitudinally of the gun'body I8 and Vbeing' disposed at the inner lends of bores 12 in which projectiles I3 are operatively held so as to be discharged as a result of the burning of ring charges in the respective firing charge chambers 1I. In the form of the invention herein shown the .projectiles 13 are placed at the inner ends of gun bores 14 in removable gun bodies 15 which are threaded into the bores-1 2. From the bottom 18 of the box 48 a threaded opening rTI is extended down into communication with the uppermost ring charge chambers 1Ia, and into this opening 11 a restrainig'member 18 is screwed, s uch restraining member having an axial passage or restraining port 19 from endto end thereof through which heat and pressure resulting from the ignition of an ignition charge 88 in the recess connected in series so as to increase the length 34, Fig. 2, may travel down the passage 38, across Ythe space 8I between the lower end of the plug 39,

and the bottom 16 of the box 48 and then through the restraining port 19 into the chamber 1Ia to g ignite a ilring charge 82 therein. The explosive force resulting from the burning o f this ring charge 82 will drive the associated projectile 13 i at high velocityl through the gun 'bore 14 and through the adjacent wall of the casing.

'I'he ring 'charge chambers 1I are serially connected by means whereby the burning of a firing charge in one of these chambers 1I will result in the ignition oi!A the ring charge in a chamber adjacent thereto, so that the effect of igniting all of the firing charges will progress serially. This is'accomplished in the following simple manner. As shown in Fig. 6, passages 83 of relatively small diameter ,are extended respectively upwardly and downwardly from firing charge chambers 1I and in planes between the adjacent firing charge chambers threaded openings' 84 are extended into the body In from the side thereof in such positions as to connect the openings or passages 83 which extend 'from the adjacent firing charge chambers. A restraining member 85 is placed in e each of these openings 84,such restraining member being shown in the form of a screw and having a passage 88 of small diameter to connect the pressure resulting from the tiring of the charge 82 in the chamber 1Ia of Fig. 3 will be transmitted through a passage 83 and the passage 88 of a restraining member 88 tothe next succeeding iiring charge chamber, and the ignition effect willbe transmitted serially downwardfrpm one iiring charge chamber 1I to the other until the ilnal or lower ilring charge chamber lle, Fig. 3, is reached. Y

In order that several of the bodies I8 may be opening 81 so that in event several ofthe sc-y tions I8 are connected in serial order, the'ignition name or heat and pressure resulting from the 'firing of a charge in the lower chamber lle will be transmitted to the succeeding section of the gun. If a singl gun body I8 is employed, thev lower end thereof may be closed by a protector cap 88 which is threaded onto the vpin89' as shown in Fig. 3.

It will be noted that the firing charge chambers 1I and the associated bores 12 are placed relatively close Atogether in my simple improved construction and that the gun body maybe serviced entirely from the side wall, with the ex ception that the restraining members 18 are inserted in the extreme ends of the body I8.

A feature of the invention is thatthe bores 12 are spaced so that the outer ends thereof lie. on a helix inscribed along the external face'of the body'I8. Each bore is oriented at an angle, preferably of 90, from the bores adjacent thereto as shown in the drawings, and particularly in Fig. 5 which shows the firing charge 4chamber 1lb and 1Ic disposed in vertical planes arranged at angles of 90. The passage 83 which leads downward from the ring charge chamber 88 connects with one end of the passage 86 in a restraining member 85 which is placed on a line tangential to a circle inscribed laround the axis of the body I8. The other end of this passage 86 connects with the passage 83, shown Vin dotted lines, which leads downward into the ring charge chamber 1Id. Although I prefer to orient the consecutive bores at angles of 90, other angles may be employed. By use of the general arrangement disclosed in the foregoing, I am able to place a maximum number of gun bores and associated ring charge chambers in' a gun body of given length, without the necessity of increasing the diametral dimension of 'the gun body, and

to effectively accomplish a serial ilring of the'v charges in the ring charge chamb'ers without dividing any given gun body unit into disjoinable sections.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a perforating gunof the character-` de-I A scribed, the combination of: a gun body having aplurality of gun bores spaced longitudinally thereof, a plurality of ring charge` chambers.

firing charge chambers; projectiles in saidgun bores; means for fixing at least one of said ring passages 83. Accordingly, the flame, or heat and charges; and restraining means inserted in said passage means -through said side openings.

2. In a perforating gun of the character described, the combination of: a gun body having a plurality of gun bores spaced longitudinally thereof, a plurality of firing charge chambers longitudinally spaced therein and having operative connection with said gun bores, passage means serially connecting said firing charge chambers, there being side openings connecting said passage means with the exterior through the side wall of said gun body; and restraining means inserted in said passage means through said side openings.

I 3. In a perforating gun of the character described, the combination of: a gun body having a plurality of gun bores spaced longitudinally thereof, a plurality of firing charge chambers longitudinally spaced therein andhaving operative scribed, the combination of: a gun body having a plurality of firing charge chambers longitudinally spaced therein and having' operative connection with said gun bores, openings extending into said body from -the side thereof impositions between said ring charge chambers and having connection with the firing charge chambers lying adjacent thereto, whereby to form passages connecting said firing charge chambers; and restraining means securable in said openings from the outer ends thereof so as to lie Ain said passages connecting said ring charge chambers.

b. In a perforating gun of the character described, the combination of: a gun body having a plurality of bores extending in from the side wall thereof, the inner ends of said bores forming firing charge chambers, removable means to close said bores, there being gun bores with their inner ends connected' to said ring charge chambers, and passage means serially connecting said ring charge chambers, said passage means having side openings connecting them with the exterior of said gun body; and restraining means inserted in said passage means through said side openings thereof.

6. In a perforating gun of the character described, the combination of: a gun body having a plurality of bores extending in from the side wall thereof, the inner ends of said bores forming firing charge chambers, and passage means connecting said firing charge chambers, said passage means having side openings .connecting them with the exterior of said gun body; gun barrels removably secured in said bores to hold projectiles in position to close said firing charge chambers; and restraining means inserted in said i passage means through said side openings thereof.

' '7. In a perforating gun of the character described, the combination of: a gun-body having a plurality of bores extending in from the side Wall thereof, the inner ends of said bores forming ring charge chambers, openings extending into 8. In a perforating gun of the character de.

scribed, the combination of: a gun body vhaving va plurality of gun bores. a plurality of fixing charge chambersv in operative connection with said gun bores, passage means serially connecting said firing charge chambers, said passage means having side openings connecting them with the exterior of said gun body, and a recess extending into said gun bodyffrom the side thereof, said recess having communication with one of said iiring charge chambers; restraining means inserted in said passage means through said side openings thereof; firing means inserted in said recess from the side of said gun body; and removable means to close said recess..

9. In a perforating gun of thecharacter described, the' combination of: al gun body having a plurality of bores extendingin from the side wall thereof, the inner'ends'of said bores forming'ring charge chambers, a recess extendingl into said1 bodyffrom` aside thereof, said recess havingcommunication with at least one of said firing charge chambers, and passage means connectingsaid firing charge chambers, said passage .means having side openings connecting them with the exterior of said gun bOdy; gn barrels removably secured in said bores to hold projectiles in position to close said firing charge chambers; firing means inserted in saidrecess from the side of said gun body; removable means to close said recess; and restraining means inserted in said passage means through said side openings thereof.

10. In a. perforating gun of the character described, the combination of: a gun body having a plurality of bores extending in from the side wall thereof, the inner ends of said bores forming firing charge chambers, a recess extending into said body from a side thereof, said recess having communication with at least one of said Bring charge chambers, and passage means connecting said firing charge chambers, said passagemeans having side openings connecting them with the exterior of said gun body; gun barrels removably secured in said bores to hold projectiles in position to close said firing charge chambers; a holderffor a firing means inserted in said recess from the side of said gun body; means operative to' actuate said firing means; removable means to close said recess; and restraining means in- .serted in said passage means through said side openings thereof. Y

l1. In a perforating gun 0f the character described, the combination of: a gun-body having a plurality of bores extending in from the side wall thereof, the ,inner ends of said bores forming iiring charge chambers, a recess extending into said body from a side thereof, said recess having communication with at least one of said firing charge chambers, and passage means connecting said firing charge chambers, said passage means having side openings connecting them with the exterior of said gun body; gun barrels removably secured in said bores to hold projectiles in posivtion to close said iiring charge chambers; a

. pressure to said sealing means.

ming means holder inserted in said recess from the side lof said gun body; a ring pin extending into said recess; means'operatlve to actuate said firing pin; removable means toclose said recess; and restraining means inserted in said passage means l through said side openings thereof.

12. In a perforating gun of the character described, the combination of: a gun body having a plurality of bores extending in from the side Awall thereof, the inner ends of said bores forming iiring charge chambers, a recess extending into said body from a side thereof; said recess having communication with at least one of said ring charge chambers, and passage means connecting said ring charge chambers, said passage means having side openings connectingthem with the exterior of said gun body; gun barrels removably secured in said bores to hold projectiles in position t close said firing charge chambers; a i'lring means holder inserted in said recess -from .the side of said gun body; a firing pin extending into said recess; means operative to actuate said ring pin; removable means to close said recess; restraining means inserted in said passage means through said side openings from the side of said gun body.

13. In a perforating gun of the character-described, the combination of: a gun bodyhaving a plurality of bores extending in from the side Vwall thereof, the inner ends of said bores forming firing charge chambers, a recess extending into said body from a side thereof, ,said recess having communication with at least one of said firing charge chambers, and passage means connecting said firing charge chambers, said passage means having side openings connecting them with the exterior of said gun body; gun barrels removably secured in said bores to hold projectiles in position to close said firing charge chambers; a firing means holder inserted in said recess from the side of said gun body; a iiring pin extending into said recess; -means operative to actuate said ring pin; removable means to close' said recess; restraining lmeans inserted in said passage means 'through said side openings thereof; sealing means carried by said gun body in a position to seal around said firing pin; and means operative from a side of said gun body to apply y14. In a' perforating gun of the character described, the combination of an upper gun body section having a ring pin extending down into the upper end thereof, sealing means carried by said body for sealing around said pin and a recess receiving the lower end of said ring pin, said recess opening to--the exterior of said body through the sidewall thereof; ring means insertable in said recess from the side of said gun body; removable means to close said recess: means operative through the side of said gun body to apply pressure to said sealing means: and perforating means connected to said body section having a'gun bore. a iiring charge assoelated with the gun-bore to be med by said firing `means and a'projectile in said gun bore.

15. In a perforating gun of the character described, the combination of: an upper gun body section having a firing pin opening extending down into the upper end thereof, a passage'extending from the side of said body section and crossing said pin opening, and a recess, receiving the lower end of said ring pin, said recess opening to the exterior of said body through the side wall thereof; ring means insertable in said recess from the side of said gun body; removable l means to clo'se said recess; a ring pin passing 'thereof; and 4sealingmeans for said firing pin insertable into position to engage said ring pin through said pin opening into said recess; sealing means for said pin inserted in said passage from the side of said' gun body section; means l to close the outer end of said passage; and

perforating means connected to said body section having a gun bore. a firing charge associated with the gun bore to be iired by said ilring means and a projectile in said gun bore. y 16. In a perforating gun of the character described, the combination of: an .upper gun body section having a firing pin opening extending down into the upper end thereof, a passage extending from side to side of said bodyl section and crossing saidV pin opening, and a recess receiving the lower end 'of said firing pin, said recess opening to the exterior of said body through -the side wall thereof; ring means insertable in said recess from the side of said gun body;

removable means to close said recess; a iirlng pin passing through said pin opening into said recess; sectional sealing means passed into engagement with said ring pinfrom opposite ends of said passage; means operative through the opposite ends of said passage to apply pressure.

to the said sealing means; and perforating means connected to said body section havingV a gun bore, a firing charge associated with the gun said firing charge chamber; a firing means holder r bore to be iired by said nrlng means and -a 'projectile in said gun bore.

17. In a perforating gun of the-character described, the combination of: a gun body having -a plurality of spaced gun bores, a plurality of spaced ring charge chambers each having oprative connection with a gun bore, passage means serially connecting said firing charge chambers,1

there being side openings connecting said passage means with the exterior through the side wall of said gun body; and restraining means inserted y in said passage means through said side opening.

18. In a perforating gun of the character described, the combination of: a gun body having a gun bore, a firing charge chamber communicating with the inner end of said gun bore, a firing means recess extending into said body from a,

side thereof and having communication .with said ring charge chamber; means` to close said recess: and means for lcausing actuation of a ring means in said recess.- y

19. In a perforating gun of the character described, the combination of: a gun'body having a gun bore, a ring charge chamber communicat-A ing with the innerend of said gun bore, a firing means recess extending into said body from a side thereof and vhaving communication with inserted in said recess from a side of said body;

a iiring pin extensible into said recess; means operative to actuate said ilring pin; and re.l movable means to close said recess.

` raars. MccUrmUGn. 

